Overview
The Junior League of Charlotte’s (JLC) Kids in the Kitchen program teaches and demonstrates the importance of healthy eating and nutritional knowledge; providing a piece of the puzzle to help combat the childhood obesity epidemic. The program supports our Healthy Family Initiative, an initiative which is focused on the physical, dental and mental health needs of children in the Charlotte community and their families.
Community partners
- Charlotte-Mecklenburg County School System
- Communities in Schools
- Council for Children’s Rights
- Friendship Gardens
- Reid Park Academy
- Reid Park Community
- Parks and Recreation of Mecklenburg County
How it works
Kids in the Kitchen supports the wrap-around Community School Model, a pilot initiative that was launched at Reid Park Academy in February, 2011. The wrap-around services model follows a System of Care philosophy, involving collaboration across agencies, families, and youth to improve access and expand the array of coordinated community-based services and support for children and families. The focus areas are: early childhood, parent involvement, health and mental health, and social services. The Kids in the Kitchen program addresses the health of children and families.
What’s the impact?
This program has the potential to impact over 9,000 people. There are nearly 10,000 people living in the neighborhoods that feed into Reid Park Academy and the program is designed to directly impact the 6 classrooms that are participating in the lesson plans. This program will also indirectly impact the 918 students at Reid Park Academy and their families and then filter into the community. With inclusive programs designed to encourage family and community participation, they are striving to make a change in this food desert. This program will also allow the League to grow the Kitchen Cart program in 3 additional schools.